3 Big Surprises I Experienced At My Local Apple Store This Weekend

Before I share with you my 3 surprises, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is set to announce on today how many iPhones it sold over this past weekend.

I think they sold a lot of their new iPhones, maybe more than 5 million (announced today - 9 million sold) . That's the number Apple sold at their last iPhone roll-out weekend. I think Apple is going to sell a lot more, maybe 10 or 20 percent more.

Here's the reason why I say that.

I'm was just wrapping up some time at my summer home, here in Maine, and I decided on the spur of the moment to check out the local AT&T store and find out more about the new iPhone 5S, which I wanted to see first hand.

My summer home is up here in Mid-Coast Maine, about 10 miles from Brunswick a small university town of 20,000.

Last Friday I decided to drive into Brunswick and stop off at the local AT&T store, to check out the new iPhones. I had checked online with AT&T and found that I was eligible for an upgrade, from my aging 4S iPhone.

I arrived at the AT&T store later in the day to avoid any long lines (in Brunswick,not likely) and was greeted by a young lady who was incredibly helpful and gracious. I said to her that I would like to get a gold iPhone, and that I was eligible for an upgrade. She quickly informed me that they had zero iPhone 5S's in stock as they had quickly sold out when they opened. The young lady then mentioned that they were now taking orders for the 5S, and I could probably get one in 21 days. UGH!!

As promised here are my 3 surprises at the Apple store.

SURPRISE #1
Here was my first surprise, the majority of folks who came in the store wanted GOLD iPhone 5S's!! This came as a big surprise to me as I didn't think the folks up here in Maine would be so glitzy. Apparently according to the staff there at the AT&T store that was the most requested color. I guess India and China are not the only ones who like the color gold.

SURPRISE #2I did ask if I could see the new iPhone 5S, and in particular, Apple's fingerprint technology. I was told that Zach would show me the phone and answer any questions I might have on Apple's new fingerprint technology. After a brief introduction, Zach proceeded, using a demo iPhone 5S, (remember, they were sold out) to show me how Apple's fingerprint technology worked. I have to say, I was very impressed as it is amazing and worked incredibly well.

I had always thought that with fingerprint technology, you have to put your finger on exactly same place each and every time. This is not the case with Apple's fingerprint technology, and that's what makes it so powerful and easy to use.

Here's how it works, first you place your thumb on the sensor several times, each time at a different position, that's how Apple maps out your thumbprint. The iPhone itself will indicate when it has achieved a successful match. All you have to do now, is simply put your thumb on the sensor, and presto it open's up the phone. I tested it with my other thumb and several of my other fingers and it would not open the phone. Only when I used in my case my right thumb did it open the phone. With that kind of security nobody else can operate your phone except you.

Here is why this type of technology will revolutionize the way we do things in the future. I can see using fingerprint technology for financial transactions, buying apps, banking and securities trading, the possibilities are endless.

No two people on the planet have exactly the same thumbprints, that's why Apple's new technology is revolutionary for the smartphone and tablet markets. Apple has always been on the cutting edge of innovation and this technology proves it.

SURPRISE #3The 5C was my third and biggest surprise, it is an amazingly beautifully and well crafted phone. I was quite shocked as the 5C is far better than I ever expected. The fact that the color of the case is actually mimicked throughout the operating system makes the 5C unique and very cool. The only thing that the 5C does not have, is fingerprint technology and a better built case. Other than that, it is an identical to the iPhone 5S.

MY TAKE ON iOS7
Like a lot of other iPhone users downloaded the new iOS7 system last Wednesday, to install onto my old iPhone and iPad. It is a great system and works flawlessly and in the background. Apple should be congratulated for making such a bold move, introducing two new phones and a new operating system at the same time. I can't think of another company that could have pulled that off so seamlessly.

I believe that Apple is going to be very successful with these two new iPhones and their new mobile iOS7 operating system. It all works together seamlessly without problems.

THE ULTIMATE CHESS GAME
Apple is playing the ultimate chess game, with their new iPhones and they are already ahead of their competitors with fingerprint technology. With security, being such an issue nowadays, Apple is moving confidently forward and securing its beachfront position for the future.

Let us know how you feel about Apple, would you buy a new iPhone 5S? What do you think of fingerprint technology? Please feel free to leave a comment and join in the conversation, we would love to hear from you.

Have a great trading day,Adam Hewison
President, INO.com
Co-Creator, MarketClub

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16 thoughts on “3 Big Surprises I Experienced At My Local Apple Store This Weekend”

I would like to ask only one question, are we actually required such day to day up-graded, advance and complex technology for a thing like a phone? are everybody essentially required for their daily use or purpose? is it not a west of precious resources, talent and technology? people, who bought this new phone, what will they do of their old instrument?

At this stage, i must remember that buffet's thought that if you will buy un-necessary, later you will bound to sale necessary things.

I already had an iPhone 5 from September last year and so just downloaded the iOS7 upgrade on the weekend. I am thrilled , it is like a new phone and so fast. I was waiting on this to see what I thought , but it is a winner and I am buying up APPL at current prices as this upgrade is an android killer!

Thanks for your feedback. You maybe right, the new iPhone may sway alot of non Apple customers, i.e. read that android users, to check out the iPhone. With amazing weekend sales of 9 million that blew every estimate out of the water it is going to get alot of attention.

Great question - you can set as many of your fingers (or some one else's) as you want. Ok so I don't know how many fingers it will accept but you can set several fingers. In my case, I use both hands so I have both thumbs set. You can also use the PIN to unlock it every time. Both features can be used at all times so you are not locked into only a fingerprint. There are some cases where it will only accept a PIN but I can't remember which those are but I did see it once already. Believe me, this is a well thought out feature, AAPL didn't make any major oversights with this as far as I can tell.

Well despite my fingerprint debate, I decided to go ahead and upgrade to the iPhone 5S this past weekend. Two stores that I initially check that were sold out early in the morning. But then I eventually made my way to the McArthur mall in Norfolk Virginia. I think I'd arrive maybe 1 o'clock in the afternoon. The Apple Store was very well organized and I was met by lady at the front, who immediately asked me what I was there for. I told her that they probably did not have anymore 5s's but I was looking for a 32GB 5S. To my surprise she told me they had just received a new shipment 10 minutes before I arrived! I really could not believe it. Immediately she found another worker there and they got my phone right away. The guy came out was very helpful and showed me how to set the fingerprint sensor and answered many of my questions. I kept telling him how it amazed I was that they even had the phone I was looking for! Oh yes I should add, I wanted and received the space grey. I've now been playing with his phone ever since I got it on Saturday and I am extremely impressed with it. This is my first iPhone with Siri because I had the previous iPhone 4. I absolutely love Siri and now I heard that it is no longer in Beta testing phase. In fact I am writing this post right now using nothing but Siri. This is a really great phone. Let me make one suggestion to Adam if you want to get the phone faster try the Apple Store near you. I would say there's a very good chance you'll get it sooner than 3 weeks. When you do get the phone you'll be very happy with it!

Germans hack iPhone fingerprint scanner. That didn't take long - a group of respected German hackers yesterday said they have cracked the fingerprinting scanner of the iPhone 5S, just two days after the Apple (AAPL) device went on sale. The company was hoping that the scanner, and the added security it was supposed to bring, would differentiate the new smartphone. "Fingerprints should not be used to secure anything," said one hacker. "It is far too easy to make fake fingers out of lifted prints."

I had zero interest in purchasing the latest and greatest phone until I read your article on fingerprint technology. I like gold so the gold phone is for me. I can wait, so no problem there. Thank you for this eye opener.

Apple says shoppers snapped up 9 million of its newest iPhones since the devices were launched Friday, and that demand is exceeding supply. Its shares jumped 6 percent in premarket trading.

Apple says the two new models gave it its strongest iPhone launch ever. The company began selling the low-cost 5C and top-of-the-line 5S on Friday.

The company says demand for iPhone 5s has exceeded the initial supply, and many online orders are scheduled to be shipped in the coming weeks.

Wall Street hadn't been enthusiastic about the new models, which were unveiled earlier this month.

Apple also said its fourth-quarter revenue will be at the high end of its estimates. The company had projected $34 billion to $37 billion in total revenue, and it also said gross margins will be near the high end of its expectations.

FactSet says analysts were forecasting $36.17 billion in revenue.

Shares of Apple gained $30.37, or 6.5 percent, to $497.78 in premarket trading. The Cupertino, Calif., company's stock is down about 12 percent in 2013 and has lost almost third of its value over the last year.